U.S. patent application number 16/571151 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-23 for package for frozen nutrient pill.
The applicant listed for this patent is Craig Robertson. Invention is credited to Craig Robertson.
Application Number | 20200022869 16/571151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58097293 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200022869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robertson; Craig |
January 23, 2020 |
PACKAGE FOR FROZEN NUTRIENT PILL
Abstract
A package has a plurality of seamless compartments coupled
together. A different one of the plurality compartments each
includes a different respective one of a plurality of respective
void spaces and a different respective one of a plurality of
respective void space delimiting surfaces. A different one of a
plurality of fill entries each forms a fluent entry into a
different respective compartment's void space. At least one fill
entry of said plurality is in an elastomeric portion of said
package, and the at least one fill entry has a largest cross
sectional area which is equal to or less than 25% of a largest
cross sectional area of the compartment having the respective void
space for which the fill entry forms the fluent entry. Each void
space delimiting surface follows an outline of a separate 3D pill
shape.
Inventors: |
Robertson; Craig; (Thousand
Oaks, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Robertson; Craig |
Thousand Oaks |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58097293 |
Appl. No.: |
16/571151 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15240392 |
Aug 18, 2016 |
10456327 |
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16571151 |
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62247605 |
Oct 28, 2015 |
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62176910 |
Aug 28, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/035 20130101;
B65B 25/00 20130101; B65B 63/08 20130101; B65D 2575/367 20130101;
B65B 3/04 20130101; B65B 5/103 20130101; B65D 75/367 20130101; B65B
47/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61J 1/03 20060101
A61J001/03; B65D 75/36 20060101 B65D075/36; B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04; B65B 63/08 20060101 B65B063/08; B65B 47/00 20060101
B65B047/00 |
Claims
01). A method of packaging a nutrient comprising: providing a
plurality of compartments coupled together; a different one of said
plurality of compartments each include a different respective one
of a plurality of respective void spaces and each include a
different respective one of a plurality of respective void space
delimiting surfaces; a plurality of fill entries, a different
compartment of said plurality each having a different one of said
plurality of fill entries; a different one of said fill entries
each form a fluent entry into a different one of said compartment's
void spaces; wherein at least one fill entry of said plurality is
in an elastomeric portion of said packaging and said at least one
fill entry has a width measured along its minor axis or a diameter
which is less than the width of the compartment for which the fill
entry forms the fluent entry into the compartment's void space;
wherein each compartment has a volume from 0.7 ml to 4 ml; and
wherein each void space delimiting surface follows an outline of a
separate 3D pill shape; flowing fluent into each of said plurality
of compartments through the compartment's respective fill
entry.
02). The method of packaging a nutrient of claim 01 further
comprising the step of: freezing the fluent flowed into each of
said plurality of compartments.
03). A method of making a package comprising: providing a form ,
the form includes a plurality of pill compartment forming portions
each following an outline of a pill, a support carrying the
plurality of the pill compartment forming portions; forming, with
pressure, a plurality of seamless receptacles seamlessly coupled to
a support from seamless elastic material when the material is in
contact with the support and pill compartment forming portions;
said forming step further comprising: forming a plurality of
seamless compartments from the material, each compartment having a
different respective void space and a different respective void
space delimiting surface, a different compartment of said plurality
of compartments forming part of a different respective one of said
receptacles; forming a plurality of fill entries from the material,
a different fill entry of said plurality opens into a different one
of said void spaces of a different respective one said
compartments; forming a plurality of exterior undercuts from the
material, a different exterior undercut of said plurality of
undercuts is each delimited by a portion of an external surface of
a different respective one of said plurality of receptacles, and a
different respective surface portion of said support, each exterior
undercut is further delimited by a connecting surface, each
connecting surface is adjacent and seamless with a different one of
the external receptacle surfaces, and adjacent and seamless with a
different one of the respective surface portions of the support;
forming a plurality of other undercuts from the material, a
different undercut of said plurality of other undercuts is
delimited by a portion of a different one of said void space
delimiting surfaces of one of said plurality of compartments and a
surface of said support; each different other undercut is also
delimited by a surface delimiting a different one of said fill
entries, the fill entry delimiting surface is adjacent and seamless
with the void space delimiting surface and surface of the support;
and each compartment's void space has a volume from 0.7 ml to 4 ml
and each void space delimiting surface follows an outline of a
separate 3D pill shape.)
04.) The method of claim 03 wherein the seamless elastic material
is a thin elastic sheet.
05.) The method of claim 03 wherein the pressure is a negative
pressure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. application
Ser. No. 15/240,392, filed Aug. 18, 2016; which it-self claims
domestic priority from U.S. Provisional application 62/176,910
filed Aug. 28, 2015 and also domestic priority from U.S.
Provisional 62/247,605 filed Oct. 28, 2015.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure concerns a package having an array of
compartments each of which receives a fluent material which is
later frozen while in the compartment.
BACKGROUND
[0003] US patent publication 2008/245,800, Disposable Container For
Frozen Liquid, Moore, discloses that each of a plurality of
silicone rubber molds is covered by a holder structure which has a
flanged body. A handle extends from one side of the body, and an
anchor structure extends from the other side of the body into the
interior of the mold. The anchor structure has an enlarged outer
end which engages with and tends to hold the frozen confection onto
the handle for removal from the mold, and while the confection is
being eaten.
[0004] US patent publication, 2014/0079860, Frozen Confection
Device and Method, Ho, discloses a container having individually
sealed container cells that store liquid that may be frozen into a
shape suitable for inserting the frozen article into a bottle or
can. The container cells may be individually detachable for
convenient use and may be constructed from an inexpensive and
disposable material. The container cells may store purified water
and/or a combination of various types of liquids.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,246, Suppository Package and Method of
Making, David, discloses packaging material that is initially
fluent or capable of flowing and thereafter hardens, and more
especially a package which includes opposed layers of relatively
thin packaging material such as aluminum foil, sealed together in
certain zones which form the boundaries of a compartment or chamber
between said layers in which is deposited the material being
packaged. Two layers of the packaging material are initially sealed
together to partially form a compartment between them having an
open end through which the material being packaged is inserted into
the compartment and thereafter the layers are sealed together to
close said open end; completing the compartment with the material
therein, and the layers can thereafter be easily and quickly
separated for removal of the material from the compartment.
SUMMARY
[0006] One example of the invention is embodied by a package having
a plurality of seamless compartments, the plurality of compartments
are coupled together. The plurality of compartments comprise a
plurality of respective void spaces and a plurality of respective
void space delimiting surfaces. Each compartment includes a
different one of said respective void spaces and includes a
different one of said respective void space delimiting surfaces. A
different compartment of said plurality forms part of a different
one of a plurality of receptacles. The package further has a
plurality of fill entries. A different one of said plurality of
fill entries each form a fluent entry into a respective void space
of a different one of said compartments. At least one fill entry of
said plurality is in an elastomeric portion of said packaging and
said at least one fill entry has a width measured along its minor
axis or a diameter which is equal to or less than 85% of the width
of its respective compartment wherein the width of the compartment
is measured along the compartment's minor axis. Also the at least
one fill entry has a length measured along its major axis that is
equal to or less than 95% of the length of the respective
compartment wherein the length is measured along the compartment's
major axis. The percentages pertain to a package made from a thin
form process as described herein. The percentages for the width or
diameter could be much less such as less than or equal to 25%. The
percentages for the length could be much less such as less than or
equal to 85%. The percentage for the width could be as little as 0%
if the fill entry has a normally closed position. The percentages
for the width could be equal to or less than 7% for a package made
from a thick form process. Each compartment delimits a volume,
which is the volume of the compartment's void space, which is from
0.7 ml to 4 ml. Each void space delimiting surface follows an
outline of a separate 3D pill shape.
[0007] One example of a method embodying the invention comprises
providing a package which includes a plurality of compartments
coupled together; the compartments form a plurality of respective
void spaces and a plurality of respective void space delimiting
surfaces. A different one of each compartment of said plurality
includes a different one of said respective void spaces and
includes a different one of said respective void space delimiting
surfaces. Each compartment forms part of a different one of a
plurality of receptacles. The package provided further has a
plurality of fill entries. A different one of said plurality of
fill entries each forms a fluent entry into a void space of a
different one of said compartments. At least one fill entry has a
width measured along its minor axis or a diameter which is equal to
or less than 85% of the width of its respective compartment,
wherein the width of the compartment is measured along the
compartment's minor axis. Also the at least one fill entry has a
length measured along its major axis that is equal to or less than
95% of the length of the respective compartment wherein the length
is measured along the compartment's major axis. The percentages for
the width or diameter could be much less such as less than or equal
to 25%. It could be as little as 0% if the fill entry has a
normally closed position. The percentages for the length could be
less than or equal to 85%. Each compartment's void space has a
volume from 0.7 ml to 4 ml. Each void space delimiting surface
follows an outline of a separate 3D pill shape.
[0008] Once the package is provided, fluent is flowed into each of
said plurality of compartments' void spaces through the
compartment's respective fill entry.
[0009] One example of a method of making the package includes
providing a form. The form is preferably a vacuum enabled form. The
form provides a negative of the shape of the package to be formed.
The form includes a plurality of pill compartment forming portions;
each following an outline of a pill. The form also includes a
support. The support carries the plurality of the pill compartment
forming portions. Each pill compartment forming portion is carried
by the support. The method further includes contacting a thin
elastic sheet preferably made from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA),
silicone or rubber to the support and pill forming portions. The
method further includes forming a plurality of receptacles coupled
to a support from the thin elastic sheet with negative pressure
when the sheet is in contact with the support and pill compartment
forming portions; the forming step further includes forming a
plurality of compartments from the sheet, a different compartment
of said plurality each having a different respective void space and
a different respective void space delimiting surface; a different
compartment of said plurality each forming part of a different
respective one of said receptacles. The forming step further
includes forming a plurality of fill entries from the sheet; a
different fill entry of said plurality opens into a different one
of said void spaces of said plurality. The forming step further
includes forming a plurality of exterior undercuts from the sheet;
each exterior undercut is delimited by a surface of a different
respective one of said plurality of receptacles, and a different
respective surface portion of said support. The surfaces are
seamless with each other. Preferably each exterior undercut is
delimited by a connecting surface. Each connecting surface is
adjacent a different one of the respective surfaces of one of the
receptacles and adjacent a different one of the respective surface
portions of said support. The connecting surface is curved and
seamless with both the adjacent receptacle surface and support
surface. The undercut forming surfaces delimit a pocket. The
forming step further includes forming a plurality of other
undercuts from the sheet, each other undercut is delimited by one
of the void space delimiting surfaces of one of said plurality of
compartments and a different surface portion of said support; it is
also preferably delimited by a surface delimiting one of said fill
entries. The fill entry delimiting surface is curved and is
adjacent the void space delimiting surface and support surface. The
fill entry surface is seamless with the void space delimiting
surface and the support surface; the void space delimiting surface
and the support surface are seamless with each other. The package
once formed is filled as described above. At least one fill entry
has a width measured along its minor axis which is equal to or less
than 85% of the width of its respective compartment wherein the
width of the compartment is measured along the compartment's minor
axis. Also the at least one fill entry has a length measured along
its major axis that is equal to or less than 95% of the length of
the respective compartment wherein the length is measured along the
compartment's major axis. The percentages for the width could be
much less such as less than or equal 25%. It could be as little as
0% if the fill entry has a normally closed position. The percentage
for the length could be less than or equal to 85%. Each
compartment's void space has a volume from 0.7 ml to 4 ml. Each
void space delimiting surface follows an outline of a separate 3D
pill shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top view of a package embodying features of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top oriented isometric view of the package of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom orientated isometric view of the package
of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an end view of the packaging of FIG. 1 with
sidewall and flange removed.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an end view opposite the end view of the package
shown in FIG. 4 with the sidewall and flange removed.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the package of FIG. 1 with sidewall
and flange removed.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view opposite the side view of the package
of FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the package shown in FIG. 1
taken along view line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the package shown in FIG. 2
taken along view lines 9-9.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a close up of the sectional view shown in FIG.
9.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the package shown in FIG. 2
taken along view lines 11-11.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a close up of the sectional view shown in FIG.
11.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a top oriented isometric view of a package which
encompasses an alternative embodiment invention showing fill
entries and compartments in fluid connection with each other.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a top oriented sectional view of the package
shown in FIG. 13 taken along view lines 13-13.
[0024] FIG. 15 is an end view of the section shown in FIG. 14.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a side view of the section shown in FIG. 14.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a side view of the package shown in FIG. 13.
[0027] FIG. 18 is an end view of the package shown in FIG. 13.
[0028] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a form and a thin sheet
capable of making packaging which embodies the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] An embodiment of the present invention comprises a package
10. The package further includes a plurality of compartments 20.
The plurality of compartments can be an array of compartments as
shown. Each of the compartments 20 is coupled together. A support
18 couples each compartment together. Each of the plurality of
compartments forms part of a different one of a plurality of
receptacles 34. The receptacles could be directly coupled together
without a support. Each compartment 20 is seamlessly coupled to the
support 18. Each compartment 20 is seamless and the support 18 is
also seamless. Each receptacle is seamless. Each receptacle is
seamlessly coupled to the support. The package 16 is seamless. The
support 18 and compartments 20 are a mono-block construction. The
support 18 and/or the compartments 20 and/or receptacles are
flexible and preferably elastomeric. They can be an elastic
material such as, silicone, rubber, Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or
a composite having elastic and non-elastic material. Each
compartment 20 has a respective void space 22 and a respective void
space delimiting surface 24. There is a plurality of such surfaces
24. The surfaces 24 are internal surfaces of the package 10. Each
delimiting surface 24 has a configuration which follows a 3D
outline of a pill shape, such as a tablet, capsule, or caplet
shape. Preferably each surface 24 outlines, expect for any area
encompassed by a fill entry 26 or fill exit 56, an entire 3D pill
shape such as a tablet, capsule, or caplet. In the shown example
the delimiting surface 24 of each void space 22 outlines an entire
capsule, expect for any area encompassed by a fill entry 26 or fill
exit 56. The shape outlined can take any form suitable to be
swallowed by a person. In general the void space 22 should have a
volume of between 0.7 ml to 4 ml; preferably for a liquid nutrient
to be frozen it should be at least 2 ml. The term fluent as used
herein is broad enough to include fluid mixed with solids such as a
slurry. Fluent is also broad enough to include emulsification. It
is also broad enough to include liquid. In general the fluent
should have viscosity of no greater than 10,000 centipoise (cP). It
could be around 50-500 cP and as little as 0 Cp.
[0030] Each receptacle 34 has an external surface 33a, 33b and the
delimiting surface from a respective different one of said
plurality of delimiting surfaces 24. Each external surface includes
a planar portion 33a and 3D portion 33b following a 3D outline of a
pill.
[0031] Each compartment 20 has a different respective fill entry 26
to fill the compartment 20 with a fluent material which is later
frozen. Thus there are a plurality of fill entries 26. Each fill
entry 26 provides a different one of said compartments 20 with an
entry through which fluent is received. The fluent material in the
present example is a slurry of various nutrients such as leafy or
chlorophyll, rich greens and, or berries and these nutrients may be
blended with water. The fluent may be medicinal such as for
diabetes.
[0032] In the shown example of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each fill entry 26
comprises an elongated gap which opens through the compartment's
delimiting surface 24 and the planar external surface 33a of the
receptacle of which the compartment form's a part. The portion of
the delimiting surface 24 through which the gap opens is at the
first end portion 38 of the compartment 20. The gap 36 is elongated
along the direction of the compartment's major axis 40. The gap and
fill entry has a width measured in the direction of the
compartment's minor axis 42 (which is also the direction of the
fill entry's minor axis) and is the distance between oppositely
facing surfaces 44a, 44b delimiting the fill entry 26. The width is
no more than 85% of the width of the compartment measured along the
compartment's minor axis 42. The percentage could be less than or
equal to 25%. Preferably with a thick form process it is no more
than 9% of the width of the compartment. The gap and fill entry has
a length measured in the direction of the compartment's major axis
40 (which is also the direction of the fill entry's major axis).
The length is no more than 95% of the length of the compartment
measured along the compartment's major axis 40. The percentage
could be less than or equal to 85% Although each fill entry 26 is
shown as a gap it could simply be a slit which opens through the
planar external surface 33a of the receptacle 34 and the portion of
delimiting surface 24 of the compartment forming the receptacle.
The slit would have a closed position wherein the opposite facing
surfaces 44a, 44b are in contact with each other and an open
position wherein at least a portion of the opposite facing surfaces
44a 44b do not contact each other. In the shown embodiment in FIGS.
1, 2 and 4 each fill entry 26 is only in fluid connection with a
different one of each compartment 20.
[0033] As stated, each compartment 20 has a first end portion 38 at
an end (top) of the compartment along the compartments minor axis
42 which is a first axis. Each compartment also has a second end 48
portion (bottom) along the first axis opposite the compartment's
first end portion. Each compartment has a third end portion 50
along the major axis 40 which is a second axis. Each compartment
has a fourth end portion 52 opposite its third end and along its
second axis.
[0034] FIGS. 9 through 18 disclose a packaging 210 having a
plurality of fill entries 226 in fluid connection with each other.
The packaging is similar to packing 10. A major difference between
package 10 and package 210 is that the fill entries 226 and
compartments 220 are configured to be in fluid connection as
described below. Features in package 210 similar to package 10 are
labeled with the same number except a "2" is added as a prefix for
each similar item found in packaging 210. Thus fill entries in
packaging 210 are listed as 226 as opposed to 26. Many similar
features are labeled but not called out. Some similar features are
not labeled. Entries 226 are in fluid connection with each other
and are along and part of a fluid path 54. The fluid path 54 is
unbroken from end to end. The path could be a continuous loop. The
packaging 210 also has a plurality of compartments 220 in fluid
connection with each other. The fluid path 54 also comprises these
compartments. The fluid path also comprises a fluid exit 56 at each
compartment. The exits 56 are in fluid connection with each other.
The fluid path 54 also comprises fluid connectors 58 fluidly
connecting compartments 220 of the fluid path 54. Each fluid
connector 58 connects a different one of a pair of compartments 220
which form the fluid path 54. In the shown example at least one of
the compartments 220 is a primary compartment 220' and one of the
fill entries is a primary fill entry 226'. The primary fill entry
226' is the fill entry for the primary compartment 220'. The
primary fill entry 226' and primary compartment 220' are the entry
and compartment making up the fluid path 54 of which no other fill
entry 226 or compartment 220 is upstream. The primary fill entry
opens through an external surface of the package. The primary fill
entry 226' is the fluid entry through which all fluent flows in the
fluid path 54. It flows through the primary entry 226' first. It
flows through the primary entry before flowing to any other to any
fill entries 226 in the fluid path 54. The primary compartment 220'
is the compartment through which all fluent flows in the path 54.
The primary entry and primary compartment are the first to receive
fluent disposed in the packaging 210 relative to all other fill
entries 226 and compartments 220 making up the fluid path 54.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-18 each compartment 220,
220' has a different one of said plurality of fill entries
226,226'. Each compartment 220,220' has a different one of said
plurality of fluid exits 56. Each fill entry 226, 226' of a
compartment is at the compartment's third end 250. Each fluid exit
of a compartment 220', 220 is at the compartment's fourth end 252.
Each fluid connector 58 is at and in fluid connection with a
different one of said fluid exits 56. It is also at and in fluid
connection with a different one of said fill entries 226. Reference
350 and 351 in FIGS. 13 and 14 are pointing to contour lines and
are not seams.
[0036] The fill entries 26; 226, 226' in either embodiment can take
on a variety of configurations such as a simple through hole. A
fill entry having a width along its minor axis such as 62 and a
length along its major axis such as 60 should have a fill entry
with a width measured along its minor axis which is equal to or
less than 85% of the width of its respective compartment wherein
the width of the compartment is measured along the compartment's
minor axis. Also the at least one fill entry should have a length
measured along its major axis 60 that is equal to or less than 95%
of the length of the respective compartment wherein the length is
measured along the compartment's major axis. The percentages for
the width could be much less such as less than or equal to 25%. The
percentages of the length could be less such as less than or equal
to 85%.
[0037] Notably the fill entry could have a largest sectional area
which is equal to or less than 25% of the largest sectional area of
its compartment 20; 220, 220' if a thin form process is used and
equal to or less than 7% if a thick form process is used. The
largest sectional area of the fill entry could be between 55% to
75% of the largest sectional area of the compartment. The sectional
area of the fill entry should be measured along a cross section
taken along and parallel to a first or second axis of the fill
entry 26; 226, 226'. The first and second axis should be
perpendicular and intersect. The axis chosen should be the axis on
which the length of the fill entry 26; 226, 226' is the greatest.
If no length is greatest than either axis may be chosen. In the
shown embodiment the first axis 60 is chosen over the second axis
62. Likewise the cross sectional area of the compartment should be
taken along the compartment's 20; 220, 220' first 42; 242 or second
axis 40; 240. The first and second axis of each compartment are
perpendicular to each other and intersect with each other. The axis
chosen should be the axis along which the length of the compartment
is greatest. If no length is greatest than either axis may be
chosen. In the shown embodiment in FIG. 4 the second axis 40 is the
major axis and is chosen.
[0038] To make a package containing frozen nutrient pills, the
package 10; 210 is provided. The package 10; 210 has a plurality of
the compartments 20; 220, 220' and fill entries 26; 226, 226'. Each
compartment 20; 220, 220' of said plurality has a different
respective one of said plurality of fill entries 26; 226, 226'.
Each compartment 20; 220, 220' has a delimiting surface 24; 224,
each delimiting surface of a compartment 20; 220, 220' outlines a
3D pill shape.
[0039] Fluent nutrient is flowed into each of the plurality of
compartments 20; 220, 220' through the compartment's respective
fill entry 26; 226, 226'. A fluent dispenser, such as an
auto-pipette or mechanical pipette that can transfer measured
amounts of a liquid automatically, can be used to flow the
fluent.
[0040] In one method, each fill entry 26 of the plurality of fill
entries 26 is only in fluid connection with a different one of said
plurality of compartments 20. Each fill entry 26 is fluidly sealed
off from each of the other fill entries 26. Each compartment 20 is
fluidly sealed off from each of the other compartments 20. To fill
the compartments under this method, a portion of a fluent dispenser
is disposed through each fill entry 26. The portion disposed in
each fill entry is a slurry. The fluent flows into each compartment
from the dispenser.
[0041] In another embodiment, the fill entries 226, 226' are in
fluid connection with each other and one of the entries is a
primary fill entry 226'. The compartments 220, 220' are also in
fluid connection with each other, and one of the compartments is a
primary compartment 220'. In this embodiment fluent flows through
primary fill entry 226' and then from the primary entry 226' to
fill entries 226 of said plurality downstream of said primary entry
226'. Also, fluid flows from the primary compartment 220' to
compartments 220 downstream of the primary compartment.
[0042] The packaging with the nutrient is placed in a bag which is
sealed. Alternatively a sheet is sealed to the top surface 80 of
the packaging to cover the partition surfaces 33a and the fill
entries 26. The fluent in the packaging is frozen after the
compartments are filled with fluent. The fluent nutrient has a
freezing point of from -3 c to -4 c and storage at -18 C.
[0043] A person ingests the nutrient as a frozen pill by popping
the pill through a pill exit. Each compartment has a pill exit. The
pill exit could be the gap 36. It could be the slit, or it could be
some other part of a partition portion 32; 232 of the package 10;
210. In this example the frozen pill is a frozen capsule. The
frozen pill could also be a frozen tablet. It could also have a
caplet shape. The pill exit is a capsule exit when a capsule is
formed.
[0044] One example of a method of making the package 10 includes
providing a form 63. The form is preferably a vacuum enabled form.
The form provides a negative of the shape of the package to be
formed. The form includes a plurality of pill compartment forming
portions 65; each following an outline of a pill. The form also
includes a load bearing support 67. The load bearing support bears
a load of the plurality of the pill compartment form portions 65.
Each pill compartment form portion is carried by the support 67.
The method further includes contacting a thin elastic sheet 69
preferably made from silicone or rubber to the load bearing support
67 and pill forming portions 65. The method further includes
forming the plurality of receptacles 34 coupled to the support 18
from the thin elastic sheet 69 with negative pressure when the
sheet 69 is in contact with the load bearing support 67 and pill
compartment form portions 65. The forming step further includes
forming the plurality of compartments 20 from the sheet 69, each
compartment 20 having a different respective void space 22 and a
different respective void space delimiting surface 24; each
compartment forming part of a different respective one of said
receptacles 34. The forming step further includes forming a
plurality of fill entries 26 from the sheet 69; a different fill
entry 26 of said plurality, opens into a void space 22 of a
different respective one said compartments 20. The forming step
further includes forming a plurality of exterior undercuts 71 from
the sheet; each exterior undercut is delimited by a portion of
external surface 33b of a different respective one of said
plurality of receptacles 34, and a different respective surface
portion 72 of said support 18. The surfaces 72, 33b are seamless
with each other. Preferably each exterior undercut is delimited by
a connecting surface 73. Each connecting surface 73 is adjacent one
of the different respective surfaces 33b of one of the different
receptacles 34 and adjacent one of the different respective surface
portions 72. The connecting surface 73 is curved and seamless with
both the adjacent receptacle surface 33b and support surface 72.
The undercut forming surfaces delimit a pocket. The forming step
further includes forming a plurality of other undercuts 75 from the
sheet 69, each other undercut is delimited by a portion 78 of a
void space delimiting surface 24 of a different one of said
plurality of compartments 20 and surface 33a of partition 32; it is
also preferably delimited by surfaces 44a, 44b delimiting a
different one of said fill entries. The fill entry delimiting
surfaces 44a, 44b are curved and are adjacent the void space
delimiting surface 78 and support surface 33a. The fill entry
surface 44a, 44b is seamless with the void space delimiting surface
78 and the support surface 33a; the void space delimiting surface
78 and the support surface 33a are seamless with each other. The
package once formed is filled with fluent as described above. At
least one fill entry of said packaging has a width which is at
least equal to or less than 85% of the width of the compartment.
Each compartment's void space has a volume from 0.7 ml to 4 ml.
Each void space delimiting surface follows an outline of a separate
3D pill shape. Other methods of making the package include applying
the material to a form by spraying, brushing, pouring and injection
molding as opposed to using a preformed sheet and vacuum form as in
FIG. 19.
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